September 27, 2018 at 12:46PM If you’ve ever struggled with depression, you know how debilitating it can be. It’s like a hazy cloud has settled over all the things that once made you happy, and simple acts like brushing your hair or taking a shower can feel like next-to-impossible chores. Depression is a serious mental health issue, and you should always seek professional help if you’re suffering from it, especially for a prolonged period of time. And while tried-and-true treatment methods like talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and antidepressants can be incredibly helpful, there are also holistic treatments for depression that can make a world of difference in your road to healing. Read on for lifestyle shifts you can institute today to help treat your depression holistically. 1. Give your gut a makeover A wide body of research has found that if we’re not nourishing our gut health, our mood will suffer. As New York-based therapist Alison Stone, MSW, points out, our gut is practically our “second brain.” “In addition to affecting our dopamine and GABA production [‘happy chemicals’ needed for healthy brain functioning] it’s estimated that the gut is responsible for up to 90 percent of the body’s serotonin production,” she explains. “Since inflammation has been linked to depression, following an anti-inflammatory diet is an important step in creating a happy, healthy gut” and mind. To do this, start by reducing your sugar intake, ditching the processed foods, and (sorry)—eliminating alcohol. 2. Take a break from social media While social
Day: September 27, 2018
Already a zodiac wiz? Calculate your numerology base numbers to learn what makes you tick
September 27, 2018 at 10:57AM “Weird question, but when’s your birthday?” That’s something I always ask when I’m chatting up someone new— whether it’s a work acquaintance, a friend of a friend, or a potential love interest—in order to size them up based on their sun sign. Are they, say, a neat-freak Virgo or a wild-child Sagittarius? But as I recently found out, there’s more woo-woo wisdom to glean from someone’s DOB than their zodiac traits alone: enter numerology meanings. The info can also illuminate your object of interest’s personal numerology, a system not unlike astrology that’s believed to give insight into one’s personality and life path. By adding up the digits in the month, day, and year you were born—and the numbers that correspond to the letters in your name—numerology believers feel you can gain a deeper understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and a sense of what you’re on here to achieve on the planet. The same applies for gathering the numerology details about those around you. “I feel like numerology has made me a lot more sensitive to other peoples’ needs,” says Novalee Wilder, a certified numerologist based in New York City. “And if you want to stalk your crushes or your coworkers, it’s a fun way to start.” (Okay, now I’m listening.) There are a few different schools of thought regarding numerology, each one slightly different from the next. She personally trained in the Chaldean tradition and considers it her go-to when working with clients it because
All the truly bad people you know share this personality trait
September 27, 2018 at 10:41AM With Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Bill Cosby making headlines this week—both regarding issues of sexual assault (Kavanaugh’s alleged, Cosby’s convicted)—it’s probable you’ve heard at least one person mutter, “What an awful person.” These men have become two of the most hated people in America, and new research shows there’s a scientific reason why it seems like they share a key personality trait: the ability to pursue their own interests singularly, without regard for others. According to the results of a series of studies (that included more than 2,500 participants) published in the journal Psychological Review, researchers have discerned a common thread shared by those who have dark personality traits (including narcissism, psychopathy, egoism, sadism, self-interest, and spitefulness). This “dark core” or D-factor, as the authors are calling it, is defined in the paper as “the general tendency to maximize one’s individual utility—disregarding, accepting, or malevolently provoking disutility for others—accompanied by beliefs that serve as justifications.” Which translates to, being selfish without giving a s**t, to the extent that you might even hurt people for fun. “The D-factor indicates how likely a person is to engage in behavior associated with one or more of these dark traits.” —Ingo Zettler, professor of psychology “The D-factor indicates how likely a person is to engage in behavior associated with one or more of these dark traits [narcissism, et al.],” said study author Ingo Zettler, professor of psychology at the University of Copenhagen, in a press release. And if a person is prone
Bookmark this list of the best sources of zinc before cold and flu season starts
September 27, 2018 at 10:37AM It’s not quite cold and flu season. (Phew!) Still, now’s the best time to get proactive with your health. This means scheduling a flu shot at the optimal time. It also means stocking up on immunity-boosting foods, making ginger tea, and soaking up as much vitamin D as you can. Another game-changer when it comes to not getting sick is zinc. Although it’s best known as an active ingredient in natural sunscreens. It’s also the fastest way to cure a common cold, according to science. Zinc should also be a regular part of your diet year-round—8 milligrams a day for women, 11 milligrams a day for men. That’s because your body doesn’t store it like it does other nutrients or enzymes. Zinc supplements exist. They can help clear up acne and balance a vegan diet when taken regularly. But it’s also possible to increase your zinc through your diet. Keep reading for the benefits of getting enough zinc. Plus, find a list of foods that are excellent sources of zinc, below. 5 health benefits of zinc 1. Zinc supports your immune system The human body needs zinc to grow and develop. A deficiency in the trace element can compromise your immune system. Read: Make you more susceptible to getting sick. 2. Zinc combats common colds Zinc has antiviral properties that can stop or slow down the bacteria that cause the flu and colds when consumed within 24 hours of symptom onset. It’s like your own slo-mo filter
Cheese tea (yep, seriously) is the newest Japanese drink taking over Instagram
September 27, 2018 at 09:06AM Watch out matcha and bubble tea—another trendy drink is coming for your turf. And it might just be the most interesting one yet. If you’re still getting used to drinking chewy tapioca balls through a straw, then you’re probably going to feel super weird about sipping on cheese: It’s the most-talked-about ingredient in the newest Japanese drink that’s taking over Instagram. While the drink originated in Taiwan back in 2010, it’s spread across Asia over the years and is so popular today that Eater reports popular franchises in China serve up to 1,000 cups a day. The trend is just beginning to make waves in America, though, thanks to cafes like Little Fluffy Head and Happy Lemon that make it impossible not to post your pretty cheesy foam-topped beverage online. View this post on Instagram This may be cheesy but we think you’re grate! Happy Friday!!! Be sure to stop by #LittleFluffyHead and capture a shot like @sexyicecreamgirl for a chance to be featured. . . . . . #dtla #downtownla #losangeles #saycheese #cheesetea #tea #boba #bobashop #drink A post shared by Little Fluffy Head Cafe (@littlefluffyhead) on Mar 16, 2018 at 7:08am PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js The typical cheese tea is made up of a base of either green or black tea—both of which have seriously impressive benefits, whether that’s their de-bloating powers or ability to better your gut health and boost your brain power—a bit of milk, about a tablespoon and a half of cream cheese, and
What your post-workout cravings could be telling you about your body
September 27, 2018 at 08:44AM Tell me you’ve been here: You knock out a wildly difficult workout, pat yourself on the back, and go about your day. Then, the cravings hit. Regardless of what you may want to eat after a workout, there are certain things you technically should be eating to reset your body after you’ve put it through the ringer. “Immediately after a workout, you want to use a simple sugar to open up your cells,” says nutritionist Philip Goglia, PhD and co-founder of G-Plans, noting that a piece of fruit and a protein tend to do the trick. “Generally speaking, athletes want to use a fruit directly after a workout to open up their cells, to re-establish a glycogen pattern and then they insert their first main meal directly after that, like eight ounces of protein like eight ounces of chicken with a starch, like a complex carbohydrate such as a potato, a yam, or rice, with a vegetable.” But let’s say you walk out of spin class dying for a piece of chocolate, a big, juicy steak, or some other oddly specific craving. As it turns out, you’re not just hungry for a well-earned snack—it may be your body’s way of telling you exactly what it needs. I chatted with the experts to decode what our post-workout cravings actually means, and how to curb them when they have us reaching for the cookie jar instead of the fruit and vegetable drawers. Photo: Unsplash/Bruce Mars If you’re craving sweets… Let’s be
How your microbiome can clue you in on the most effective way to lose weight
September 27, 2018 at 08:38AM In some circles, September is considered to be a second January, aka another shot at resolving to curb or enhance various behaviors in order to achieve your goals. One such resolution may, for some, include healthy weight loss—you know, the kind that focuses on diet rather than dieting and reasonable levels of targeted physical activity—and it’s not uncommon for this to become a frustratingly evasive unicorn to chase. Sometimes, no matter what you do, you cannot shed a single lb. But why? Of course, there are many reasons your weight may stay stubbornly stuck. One, however, is quickly becoming a central player not just within this conversation but in dialogues around a broad spectrum of health questions: your gut microbiome. It turns out, there is a relationship between weight loss and the 100 trillion bacteria living within your digestive tract. Status: It’s complicated. When I call Emeran Mayer, Ph.D, author of The Mind-Gut Connection and Professor in the Departments of Medicine, Physiology, and Psychiatry at UCLA, he says that research is still in the early stages, but explains what scientists know so far. First, he describes a couple of studies used to prove a connection. In one version, lean, germ-free mice raised in sterile environments were transplanted with bacteria-rich feces from genetically-modified obese mice with voracious appetites. They not only gained weight but also developed the same uninhibited food intake as a result. A similar experiment was done with fecal material taken from obese humans and transplanted into lean, germ-free
6 dating tips to make sure social anxiety doesn’t stand in your way of love
September 27, 2018 at 07:55AM Dating can be an anxiety-inducing thing in its own right. You’re meeting someone new. You’re putting yourself out there. You’re worried about whether the other person will like you or not. It’s a lot to deal with! But if you throw a case of social anxiety into the mix, the already stressful, scary act of going out with a stranger becomes much more difficult. Still, you absolutely can date successfully even if you struggle with social anxiety. From curated dates ideas designed to keep nerves low and tips to prepare for the event to strategies for self-soothing if a panic attack does arise mid-date, clinical psychologist and How to Be Yourself author Ellen Hendriksen, PhD, has a lot of helpful advice to offer. 6 expert-approved tips to date like a pro, in spite of social anxiety. 1. Date often While completely avoiding the battlefield of love might feel like the easiest route to take for squelching your social anxiety, Dr. Hendriksen actually recommends challenging yourself to date more. “Social anxiety tells us that we can’t handle things,” she says. “So dating often will give us evidence that that’s not the case.” Just like doing anything else that scares you, the more you subject yourself, the easier and easier it becomes. “Social anxiety tells us that we can’t handle things. So dating often will give us evidence that that’s not the case.” —Ellen Hendriksen, PhD 2. Turn your attention outward Your attention, Dr. Hendriksen says, naturally goes inward
The surprising thing writer Glynnis MacNicol wishes she’d known about turning 40
September 27, 2018 at 06:20AM Photo: Simon & Schuster When you’re single and a over 30—and especially over 35—any time a piece of pop culture featuring an unmarried, childless woman of a certain age emerges, everyone you know sends it to you. Why? Because it happens so rarely, the phenomenon feels remarkable. (Bigfoot, Nessie, and I play bridge on Thursdays…) So when TheLi.st co-founder Glynnis MacNicol’s new memoir No One Tells You This hit shelves, several fellow singles sent it my way. But this time, the book was circulated with exclamatory notes about how MacNicol writes about being single and childless in your 40s…but without the usual soul-crushing regret and depression popularly associated with the scenario. Reading No One Tells You This felt like sweet relief from all the fear-mongering about the clock running down on my ability to have a fulfilled life. Below, I unleash all of my thirty-something anxieties on MacNicol in the hopes of further comfort (or at least commiseration). She delivers on both and explains why having this conversation is so important. Keep reading to find out why MacNicol was surprised by what comes after 40. Graphics by Well+Good Creative As women, we’re taught to expect our stories to turn to marriage and children at a certain point in time (namely, before 40). As I’ve gotten older, however, I’ve started to question whether I really want kids or if I just think I *should* want them. Do you have any advice for women navigating this decision (as you did)? I think the
4-ingredient pumpkin fudge is the legit-healthy answer to your basic-fall-treat prayers
September 27, 2018 at 06:16AM With fall in the air, whipping up at least one seasonal treat is kind of required in order to get into peak autumn mode. (There’s no law to mandate the baking sesh, but, y’know what? There totally should be.) Don’t rush off to your go-to organic grocer just yet, though: Instead of filling your cart with a long list of ingredients, why not try out a pumpkin-fudge recipe that only requires four items that you probably already have in your pantry? And the recipe’s simplicity isn’t even its best feature: It’s also legitimately healthy. Amanda Meixner, the healthy food blogger behind the popular Instagram account @MeowMeix, recently shared a recipe for healthy pumpkin fudge that’s so easy to make, you should prepare yourself to re-create it all season long. The only things you need in order to whip up the satisfying dessert—which just so happens to be both Paleo-compliant and vegan—is 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (AKA you can finally put those leftovers to good use!), 1/2 cup creamy almond butter, 1/2 cup coconut oil, and 1/4 cup maple syrup for some natural sweetness. View this post on Instagram Fall is here and that means pumpkin everything! Give yourself a healthier a fall treat with this easy, peasy 4-ingredient pumpkin paleo fudge! . What you need: (Makes about 10 small pieces) 1/2 cup canned pumpkin 1/2 cup creamy almond butter 1/2 cup coconut oil 1/4 cup maple syrup . What to do: Step 1 – Pour all ingredients